# Cheated? Section 420 means up to 7 years. > Cheating needs deception and a dishonest intention (PPC s.415). If property was handed over because of it, section 420 means up to 7 years and fine. But a promise honestly made and later broken is a civil claim, not cheating (illustration (g)). - Topic: Criminal law - For: Citizens - A 12-slide carousel: https://failegal.site/media/cheated-section-420-means-up-to-7-years - Published by FAI Legal on 2026-10-23 ## Myth or fact? What people often think. - **Myth: Every unpaid deal is cheating. Just file a 420 FIR.** - **Fact: Cheating needs deception and a dishonest intention. A promise honestly made and later broken is a civil claim (s.415, illustration (g)).** ## The law. Section 415, PPC. > "Whoever, by deceiving any person, fraudulently or dishonestly induces the person so deceived to deliver any property to any person, or to consent that any person shall retain any property ... is said to "cheat"." (Pakistan Penal Code, 1860 · Section 415) ## Two levels. The prison terms. - **Cheating, s.417** Up to 1 year, or fine, or both. - **Property handed over, s.420** Up to 7 years, and also fine. ## Hiding is lying. The Explanation to section 415. - **The rule** A dishonest concealment of facts is a deception. - **Illustration (i)** He sells land he already sold to another, without saying so. He cheats. ## Real examples. Illustrations to section 415. - **(a) Fake post** Pretends to be in the Civil Service to get goods on credit. - **(e) Fake gems** Pledges stones he knows are not diamonds to borrow money. - **(f) No intent to repay** Borrows money never meaning to pay it back. ## Quick quiz. The late delivery. Guess first, then swipe for the answer. - **A. Yes, always** - **B. No, it is a civil breach** - **C. Only above Rs. 1 lakh** ## Answer: B. Illustration (g). Section 415, PPC. - **Meant to deliver** If he intended to deliver when he took the money, he does not cheat. - **Then** He is liable only to a civil action for breach of contract. ## Courts agree. 2014 MLD 524, Sindh High Court. - **The holding** Breach of contract without dishonest intention is not s.420. - **The result** The FIR in a civil dispute was quashed as an abuse of process. ## Before you pay. Simple habits for any deal. - **In writing** A signed agreement with the price, the date and what is promised. - **A trail** Pay by bank transfer, not cash in hand. - **Check** The person, and who really owns what is being sold. ## Lost money? Ask FAI in your own words. It answers with the exact section and the judgments behind it. - **I paid a dealer for a car and he vanished. Is this cheating under section 420 PPC?** - **When is a broken deal only a civil case and not cheating?** ## Sources - Pakistan Penal Code, 1860 · Section 415: Cheating --- Educational legal information, not legal advice. Every case turns on its own facts. Speak to a qualified lawyer about your situation. Review status: Pending advocate review. FAI Media is part of FAI Legal (https://failegal.site), research on Pakistani statutes and judgments. Free to watch and read.